Japan finds more types of radiation-tainted food

March 21, 2011

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Health Ministry says tests have detected additional types of radiation-tainted vegetables, in more places, suggesting that contamination from its tsunami-crippled nuclear complex is reaching further into the food chain. Ministry official Yoshifumi Kaji said Sunday that tests found excess amounts of radioactive elements on canola and chrysanthemum greens, in addition to spinach. He said the areas where the tainted produce was found included three prefectures that previously had not recorded such contamination. Kaji said it was possible that some tainted foods may already have been sold. He also said that the government ordered shipments of milk from Fukushima, where the plant is located, to be halted after finding tainted milk at four farms out of 37 tested.